There's always a "Most Hated Team". It's happened to the Leafs. The Quinn/Domi/Tucker/Roberts ETC team was easily known as the dirtiest and hated NHL team. And yes, the Eastern media claimed that.

Aside from Kadri, the Leafs are lacking that type of team right now.

And the "Eastern Media Doesn't watch Western teams" is just the old lazy argument. I remember hearing for years Loui Erikkson was a franchise winger and everyone in the East will finally realize it when he goes there.